Species lemon thyme

lemon thyme

Thymus citriodorus ( syn. T. x citriodorus )

Lemon Thyme (Thymus citriodorus) is an attractive, fragrant herb that is easy to grow in a variety of conditions. Its small green leaves are specked with tiny flecks of yellow, giving it the appearance of a little citrus explosion! Its citrusy aroma makes it a versatile culinary ingredient, perfect for flavoring meat, fish, vegetables, and salads. When in bloom, it produces small clusters of white or lilac flowers, making it an attractive ornamental plant. Lemon thyme is low maintenance and can be grown both indoors and out, given ample sunlight. With its lemony flavor and bright colors, lemon thyme adds brightness and pizzazz to everyone's garden!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Greenwood Cuttings,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4

Flowers:

Showy, White, Pink Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Rocky , gravelly , dry, Well-drained

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water lemon thyme regularly and deeply, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can cause the roots to rot, so water only when the soil feels dry. During the warmer months, this may mean watering every 2-3 days, while in cooler months every 10-14 days is adequate. When in doubt, check the soil moisture with your finger, and water only when the soil is starting to feel dry.

sunlight

Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus (syn. T. x citriodorus)) thrives best in full sun, meaning around 6 to 8 hours a day. In certain climates, however, such as in dry subtropical regions, partial shade may be preferable. The best time of day for sunlight for lemon thyme is during the cool morning and night hours, avoiding full midday sun, which can lead to leaf burn.

pruning

Pruning Lemon Thyme (Thymus citriodorus) is important to keep it healthy and looking its best. Prune the plant in late spring or early summer, after the last frost of the season. Trim off any dead or damaged stems, then prune back the healthy stems about 1/3 of their length. This will keep the plant from becoming overgrown and maintain a full, bushy shape. For the densest possible foliage, you can also pinch back the stems when they are about 8 inches in length. Pruning is essential to keep the plant healthy and compensate for any ongoing harvesting of the leaves, which can be used to season a variety of dishes.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Lemon thyme typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Lemon thyme typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Thymus citriodorus is in July and August.

Hardiness Map